Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.
He was asked to what extent Australia works with the US in the Pacific.
“The vision we have constantly put on our strategic ally is the importance of development in this region, the importance of climate in this region, action on climate, and we are very pleased that there has been a recent announcement by the l ‘administration on post in the region, I hope it continues,’ he said.
He declared climate change “the number one economic and national security challenge facing the region.”
He was asked “why China was excluded from the meeting” and said he is simply not a member of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“We think, in relation to Pacific security, that members of the Pacific family are able to offer that security and we think that Pacific Unity is important as we navigate a world where we face climate, COVID and strategic competition, ”he said.